Just a thought i had earlier... If by gambling it meant you were subjected to brutal physical torture everyday for a month how many people would then gamble? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. Which tells me the punishment for gambling in our minds just isn't strong enough even though we know the consequences of gambling are eventually tortuous themselves
we tell ourselves we might win, we wont let it get out of hand etc etc where as if the NEGATIVE consequences of gambling were strong in our minds before we succumb to urges, we might not act on them.... I suppose its the fact that there is in theory a positive consequence to gambling in the short term that makes us fall to the urges, but deep down we know the negative consequences will win out in the end, so why not just focus on them during the urges?
Interesting point, Chris. I feel during a bout of addictive gambling the sufferer can never truly envisage any negative consequences. This is because the buzz or 'high' is always present, that the chance of winning is always on the next spin, the next race etc. It is only when we have nothing left that reality sets in and the mental torture begins. I don't drink myself, but I would imagine it's like someone downing drink after drink because it feels good, deadens stress, worry etc. but then suffers a terrible hangover the next morning. 'Never again' but then the cycle begins over and over again. That's why with addiction of any sort the best initial remedy is to 'punish' the user every time the behaviour is attempted: a gastric band for obesity, some sort of medication which makes you nauseous if you drink alcohol - and for addictive gamblers? - I wish it could be some sort of electric shock every time you entered a betting shop or tried to log on to a gambling site! But then, we's probably get addicted to that too...
J
i'd still gamble
you'd fancy a month of torture then triangle ha? Personally I wouldn't, and if that would be enough to stop me from gambling there must be a way of training myself into a way of thinking that would deter me from gambling EVERY time....
I'm a compulsive gambler Chris
Who chooses to lose their life to gamble? Not me but the addictions there
If you can train yourself then please do
The addiction keeps me on my toes but I'm gamble free today and appreciating life because of that
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